Michael Cutajar (‘Star attraction’, October 26) writes in reply to my letter (‘Sportsmanship’, October 17) that I should never have criticised Herbert Messina Ferrante because he is knownto one and all to be a gentleman par excellence.

In fact, he dedicates three-fourths of his letter flattering him instead of quibbling about the subject matter with me.

No matter what Cutajar writes, the reasons he gave do not stand up to critical analysis. I reiterate that nobody knew why Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were absent for the Player of the Year award ceremony in London. However, both Messina Ferrante and, now, Cutajar wrote as though it was a shame of them not to attend. Instead, they are now saying their presence would have added glitter to the occasion.

I rest my case.